NBA.com editors Darren Misener, Martin Sumners and Jim Reilly will be keeping you updated on all the best news and content from around the 30 team sites in the Conference Call Blog. East, Week 1 | West, Week 1 | East, Week 2 | West, Week 2 | East, Week 3 | West, Week 3 | East, Week 4 | West, Week 4 | East, Week 5 | West, Week 5 | East, Week 6 | West, Week 6 | East, Week 7 | West, Week 7 | East, Week 8 | West, Week 8 | East, Week 9 | West, Week 9 | East, Week 10 | West, Week 10 | East, Week 11 | West. Week11 | East, Week 12

Darren Misener

Call Me Al
The other centerpiece to the NBA's biggest offseason trade is also working out quite nicely, with a little less publicity. While the Celtics have excelled with Kevin Garnett roaming the paint, Al Jefferson has shown that the future in Minnesota isn't too bleak either.

Jefferson was named the NBA's Western Conference Player of the Week for games played Jan. 21-27, it was announced by the league Monday. This is the second weekly honor of Jefferson's career and first as a member of the Timberwolves. He's also just the fourth Wolves player to earn Player of the Week honors, joining Garnett (15 times), Stephon Marbury and Sam Cassell (once each). As Timberwolves.com's Mike Trudell reports, Jefferson has started to take over games for Minnesota.

Last Wednesday against one of the West's best, Phoenix, Big Al exploded for a career-high 39 points and 15 rebounds. Even Suns players admitted having no answer for him.

"They go to (Jefferson) every time down the floor," said Suns C Amare Stoudemire. "He is a good scorer. Hit a couple of tough shots. Once he gets it going, it's hard to shut him off. He has a soft touch."

Jefferson's teammates have noticed his ability to carry the load and the team for long stretches on the floor, against a myriad of opponents.

"(Some teams) have nobody that can guard him on the post," said Wolves G Sebastian Telfair. "He's already a dominant post player in the first place, but when other teams don't have a big guy to bang with him, we have to take advantage."

Last, week Jefferson became only the eighth player in Timberwolves history to register at least 40 points in a game and has now scored at least 30 points four times this season. He currently ranks 5th in the NBA in rebounding (12.1 rpg), 19th in scoring (21.1 ppg), and 26th in blocks (1.35 bpg). Jefferson is one of only five players in the NBA averaging at least 20 ppg and 10 rpg this season.

With numbers like that and the awe of opposing players around the league, history might look a little kinder on the trade that sent one of Minnesota's most beloved players to Boston.


Full Tank of Petro
Johan Petro is lighting it up off the bench for Seattle lately, Sonics.com explores what's driving the 22-year-old.

Midterm Grades
UtahJazz.com takes stock of the season so far and analyzes how the first half of the season bodes for the second half and Utah's playoff hopes, with it's current roster.

Once a Spur...
Former Spurs always remember their time playing in San Antonio, even those that were only there for three days.

Point Grant-ed
Kings.com reports on the other side of their high-octane reporter Grant Napear, his mellow side of course.

Who's Most Valuable?
Jerry Brown of East Tribune.com posts on Suns.com in the Suns Notebook that Steve Nash should have a little light shined upon him in the race for Most Valuable Player.

Nenê Recovering
Further tests revealed some bad news but the Brazilian forward is recovering at home in Denver, and you can send him your best wishes.

Room For Improvement
The Mavericks aren't exactly satisfied with their progress after completing half of an NBA regular season, reports Art Garcia of Mavs.com.

Sweet, Sweet 16
Golden State is off to its best start in 16 years, but theirs always some work that can be done.

Scoreboard Watching
Luis Scola and the Rockets know they need to win to keep pace in the tough Western Conference playoff picture. Beyond the midway point in the season, the Rockets have found themselves in the thick of the crowded postseason chase. .

Brand Aid?
As Clippers.com reports, the word on Elton Brand's injured left Achilles tendon is cautiously optimistic.


The Buzz Around the League
The Hornets are playing perhaps the best ball of anyone in the league. New Orleans is now just one win shy of the franchise record for longest winning streak, has won seven in a row on its home floor and is 12-1 in January.